Sport bag

ABSTRACT

A sport bag comprises first and second substantially identical soft sided generally rectangular parallelepiped compartments having an array of layers of hard sided boxes which may be maintained at various elevations with respect to the bottom side of the compartments in order to enhance access of the hard sided boxes. The compartments are hinged together along a bottom edge and are also connected by a gusset and/or connecting straps joined to a carry strap that may be pulled to pivot the compartments flush back to back.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a sport bag generally of the type used by fisherman, hunters, hobbyists and the like.

Practice of a sport or hobby often requires access to items associated with the sport or hobby. Fishermen typically desire access to lures, lines, weights, certain tools, and the like. Hobbyists, such as model airplane enthusiasts, may require batteries, fuel, repair kits, bonding materials, and the like. To satisfy such a need for such items, sportsmen and hobbyists often employ tackle boxes—metal or molded plastic containers with internal compartments. Often such containers have inadequate capacity. Moreover, it may be difficult to access the contents of such containers. Also, to change the contents of such containers and clean such containers may be difficult and time consuming. Thus, sportsmen and hobbyists may desire alternative containers or options for their gear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention comprises a sport bag fabricated from a soft material such as canvas or other fabric and including first and second generally rectangular, parallelepiped identical compartments hinged back to back and pivotal about their hinge connection between a flush back to back position and an open position. The compartments are connected by straps or gussets which may be attached to a shoulder strap that may be engaged to pivot the compartments together. The sport bag is sized to receive modular, removable, hard sided layers of boxes that hold sport gear or items and which may be supported on an array of stepped supports within the compartment to facilitate removal of the boxes from the compartment. The sport bag may also include various hand operated tools attached by a lanyard to a side or handle of the bag wherein the lanyard is extendable in length and wherein the tool may be retained in a pocket or by other means on the side of the bag when the tool is not in use.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved sport bag.

A further object is to provide a sport bag inclusive of removable, hard sided, modular sized, storage boxes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive and rugged sport bag.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sport bag with a shoulder strap that effects closure or compacting of elements comprising the bag.

A further object is to provide a sports bag with a tool attached thereto by an extensible lanyard.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the sport bag of the invention wherein the sport bag is comprised of two separate sections hinged together along a bottom edge back to back, each section being substantially identical and wherein the sections are arrayed in an open, spaced configuration;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the sport bag construction of FIG. 1 wherein the separate sections are moved to a hinged, closed position;

FIG. 3 is an isometric schematic view illustrating a sport bag of the invention incorporating hard sided boxes arrayed for display and for ease of placement in and removal from the bag;

FIG. 4 is an isometric schematic view illustrating a means for providing support for the hard sided boxes depicted in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an isometric schematic view illustrating an alternative to the construction of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an isometric schematic view illustrating yet another option to the construction of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an isometric schematic view illustrating one further alternative to the construction of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an alternative construction of the sport bag incorporating an extensible lanyard with a tool affixed to the free end of the lanyard and the opposite end attached to the outside of the sport bag;

FIG. 9 is an exploded isometric view of a typical tool and, more particularly, to the tool depicted in FIG. 8 which is attached by an extensible lanyard to the bag;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 wherein the tool is attached to the outside of the sport bag by means of a hook and loop fastening attachment mechanism;

FIG. 11 is an alternative embodiment in an isometric view illustrating an extensible lanyard and tool construction attached to a bag;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 wherein the lanyard is extended;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of a lanyard attached to a sport bag;

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 13 wherein the free end of the lanyard has been disconnected from an attachment mechanism of the bag;

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the invention depicting an elastic lanyard;

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of an embodiment of FIG. 15 wherein the lanyard has been extended;

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of the invention wherein the bag includes a pocket for storage of the tool attached to the extensible lanyard;

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 17 wherein the tool is in the stored position;

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of yet a further embodiment of the invention wherein a tool is attached to a sport bag by means of an extensible lanyard, and a storage mechanism comprised of an elastic strap is depicted; and

FIG. 20 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 19 wherein the tool is in the stored position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the figures, the sport bag of the invention is particularly useful to fishermen, hunters and other sports activists. The bag of FIGS. 1-2 includes first and second bag sections 8 and 9. Section 8 comprises a bottom side 10 having an inside face, a back side 12, a front side 14, a first lateral side 16 and a second lateral side 18. A fold over top side 20 is also preferably included. The material used to make the bag sections is typically a fabric, canvas or plastic material. Thus, the bag is typically a collapsible soft sided bag and has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape or configuration. The second bag section or compartment 9 is comprised of a bottom side 11, a back side 13, a front side 15, a first lateral side 17 and a second lateral side 19 as well as a top flap 21. The first section or compartment 8 is substantially a mirror image of the second section 9 and thus the backsides thereof 12 and 13 are placed in opposed relation, one to the other. The separate sections or compartments 8 and 9 are hinged to each other along a bottom hinge joint 30 which is defined generally at the junction of the bottom sides, respectively, 10, 11 with the back sides, respectively, 12, 13. Thus, the separate sections 8 and 9 may pivot one with respect to the other about the hinge junction or connection.

An important aspect of the invention is the inclusion of a gusset 32 connecting the first lateral sides 18 and 19 and a second gusset 34 connecting the second lateral sides 16 and 17. A horizontal cross strap 36 also connects the lateral sides 18 and 19. A horizontal similar strap 37 is provided on the opposite side of sections 8, 9 for attachment to the outside of the second lateral sides 16, and 17. A shoulder carry strap 40 is attached to the two horizontal lateral side straps 36, 37 which are stitched in the embodiment shown to the outside edge, such as the edge 35 and the outside edge 37 of the respective elements or bags 8 and 9. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2 by pulling on the carry strap 40, the horizontal straps 36, 37 can be engaged and tightened causing the bags 8 and 9, when being carried by the shoulder strap 40, to fold the gussets 32 and 34 into a compact easily carried assembly of the two sub-elements or sections 8 and 9 to the configuration of FIG. 2. Note, the cross straps 36, 37 may serve as gussets to limit pivot movement of the compartments 8, 9. Also in the preferred embodiment, the straps 36, 37 are sewn or attached at their opposite ends, for example, to the area of side panels adjacent the front sides to facilitate pivotal action of the compartments.

Referring next to FIGS. 3-7, an additional optional feature that can be incorporated with the sections 8, 9 is disclosed. In this additional optional feature, a bag section or compartment, for example, section 8 which is represented schematically in FIG. 3, is a soft sided element of the sport bag. The section 8 is designed to receive a series of two or more hard sided containers or boxes 50, 52 and 54. The boxes 50, 52 and 54 are hard sided boxes, for example, boxes formed from molded plastic. The boxes 50, 52, 54 typically are designed to hold various gear such as fishing gear or the like. The boxes 50, 52, and 54 are sized in a modular fashion. Thus, the dimensional extent of the boxes 50, 52, 54 from side to side will preferably be substantially equal to the distance between the lateral sides, for example, the lateral side 16 and 18 of the compartment 8. The summation of the thickness of the boxes 50, 52, and 54 overlying each other in stacked array is substantially equal to the distance between the back side 12 and front side 14 of the compartment 8. Thus, the compartment section 8 has a shape and configuration that is dictated by the combination of the hard sided boxes 50, 52 and 54. The boxes 50, 52 and 54 thus maintain the shape of the soft sided bag 8.

A problem often encountered with respect to inclusion of such hard sided boxes 50, 52, 54 within the soft sided bag 8 is the effort to effect removal of the boxes 50, 52, 54 one at a time from the compartment 8. FIGS. 4-7 depict solutions for maintaining the boxes at different elevations so that they can be easily accessed. Referring to FIG. 4, for example, the bag 8 may include, within its interior, a series of molded steps 60 and 62. For example, a foam material may be inserted within the interior of the bag 8 having a configuration depicted in FIG. 4 comprising a series of steps for support of the boxes 50, 52 and 54. Note, the boxes 50, 52, 54 have substantially the same size and shape in the embodiment depicted. Thus, the top sides and a portion of the boxes 50, 52, 54 project one above the other thereby facilitating access for removal and replacement.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative box support scheme wherein a web of material 64 is provided between front side 14 and back side 12 with the web of material 64 inclined upwardly between the front side 14 and the back side 12.

FIG. 6 illustrates yet another alternative box support scheme wherein webbing extends laterally between the sides 16 and 18 and is provided at various levels. Thus, strands of webbing 66 and 68 extend horizontally between the sides 16 and 18.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment wherein strands or strips of webbing 70, 72 and 74 extend between front side 14 and back side 12 of the soft sided container 8 and are inclined upwardly as they extend from the front side 14 to the back side 12. Each of these embodiments in FIGS. 4-7 provides a means by which boxes of various modular size, designed to fill the interior space of the compartment 8, can be arrayed so that they can be more easily accessible. Various other means may be provided to incline the array of the hard sided boxes within the compartment 8. The section or compartment 9 may also include such an array of elements therein.

Other alternative constructions for the sport bag are within the scope of the invention. For example, the compartment connecting gussets 32 and 34 need not fill the entire space between the back sides 12 and 13 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The gussets may be elastic. The gussets may comprise straps connecting the top edges of each compartment 8, 9. Other alternative connections may be effected to provide a means by which the bag 8 and 9 may be pivoted one with respect to the other

FIGS. 8-20 illustrate various embodiments of sport bags, including a sport bag of the type of FIGS. 1-7, which may incorporate the feature of providing a tool on an extensible lanyard or connection cord. The lanyard or connection cord is thus affixed generally at one end to the outside face of the side of a bag. A tool is affixed to the opposite or free end. The tool may be retained on an outside surface of the bag by means of various fastening mechanisms such as a hook and loop fastener, a pocket and an elastic strap or a strap which is snapped into position to hold the tool. Various embodiments depict all of these alternatives although the alternatives described are not a limiting feature of the invention. Also as noted, a tool may be attached to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-8 using the construction and/or techniques of the remaining figures.

Thus, referring first to FIG. 9, there is depicted a sports bag which has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with, for example, a lateral side 70, an open top compartment 80 and a generally second open top compartment 82 defined by the sides of the bag. The bag may include a center panel 84 which divides the compartments 80 and 82 one from the other. The center panel 84 may have a bungee cord 86 attached thereto with a fastener 88 cooperative with a stud 90 on the front panel 92 for positioning and holding the bungee cord 86 over the compartment 80 to retain contents therein. Of course, the compartment or enclosure 80 may receive hard sided plastic boxes of the type previously described. Also, the center panel 84 may be associated with a construction of a sports bag of the type described in FIGS. 1-8. Further, the sport bag may merely include a center panel 84 associated with four side panels 70, 92, 94 and 96. That is, the extendable lanyard construction described hereinafter can be used in combination with multiple types of sport bags.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the lanyard 100 comprises a coiled cord which is extensible and attached at its one end 102 to the outside face or surface of the side 70. Typically, the side 70 is comprised of a fabric material which may be reinforced with a board member sewn between layers of fabric or otherwise reinforced in order to maintain the shape of the bag. For example, wire reinforcing structures may be incorporated between the layers of fabric. In any event, the extension cord 100 includes a tool 104 affixed at its outer end. The tool 104 in this circumstance in the example may comprise a clipper. For example, if a sportsman, such as a fisherman, is using the bag of FIG. 8 a clipper 104 may be used to clip leader or line. The clipper 104 includes a wrap of a hook and loop fastener material 106 which enables placement of the cutter or clipper 104 against the outside face of the panel 92 for attachment thereto by cooperation with a section of hook and loop fastener material 108 affixed to the outside surface 92. FIG. 10 illustrates the arrangement described wherein the tool 104 is positioned against the hook and loop fastener attachment material 108.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a further alternative embodiment of the invention. In FIGS. 11 and 12 the bag is substantially described in the prior FIGS. 8-10. However, a distinct type of tool attachment mechanism; namely, a reel 110 includes a cord 112 which is attached to ring 114 that is, in turn, attached to a tool 116, such as a clipper. The reel 110 is attached by a clip 118 to the outside face of the end or lateral side 120 of the bag in FIGS. 11 and 12. As depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12 the reel 110 stores the cord 112 and the cord 112 may be withdrawn from the reel 110 or retracted back into the reel 110.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate yet a further embodiment. In these figures a non-elastic or elastic cord 130 is attached at one end 132 to the outside of the bag. The opposite end of the cord 130 is attached to a ring 134 which is retained by a snap strap 136. The ring 134 also is attached to a clipper tool 138.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate an embodiment wherein a removable clip 140 is provided for attachment of one end of an elastic strap 142 to a ring 144 attached to the outside face of a bag. The opposite end of the cord 142 is attached to a ring 146 which is also attached to a clipper tool 148. The strap 142 is an elastic strap in this embodiment.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a means for storage or retention of a tool. Thus, a tool 170 may be retained in a pocket 172 formed on the outside face 174 of the panel 176. As depicted in FIG. 18, the tool 170 may thus be stored in the pocket 172.

FIG. 18 illustrates yet a further embodiment of the means for retention and releasably storing a tool. Here tool 180, mounted on an extensible coiled cord 182, may be retained by an elastic strap 184 mounted on the outside face 184 of a lateral side panel 188 of a bag. As depicted in FIG. 20 the tool 180 is retained by the elastic strap 184.

Multiple variations of the arrangement of attachment of a tool to the outside face or surface of any one of a number of panels comprising a bag may be employed, and a particular retention means is not a limiting feature of the invention. Among the important aspects of the constructions depicted, however, is the elasticity or elongation capability of the lanyard or cord connected to a tool. Multiple tools, of course, may be utilized including clippers, knives and the like. Preferably, another important feature of the invention is the fact that the tool can be retained temporarily in some type of pocket, elastic band, hook and loop fastener or the like. Additionally, the tool may be replaced and the lanyard may be totally replaced by providing for detachability of the one end of the lanyard from the outside face of the sport bag side panel. Further, the tools, lanyards and the like may be affixed to any one of the panels of the sports bag, including the back panel, lateral side panels or front panel.

Thus, while there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is limited only by the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A sport bag comprising, in combination: a generally rectangular, parallelepiped, soft sided bag compartment with a bottom side with an inside, a back side, a front side, a first lateral side, a second lateral side generally parallel to and spaced from the first lateral side, and an open top side; a plurality of at least two generally rectangular, parallelepiped, hard sided, storage boxes fitted into the compartment, said hard sided boxes in combination having a dimension substantially equal to the spacing between the front side and back side, and at least one hard sided box having a lateral side to side dimension substantially equal to the spacing between the first and second lateral sides, said hard sided boxes overlying each other in stacked array of layers; and at least one hard sided box support member on or over the inside of the compartment bottom side for support of the respective layers hard sided boxes at an increasing distance from the inside of the bottom side upon increased spacing of each layer from the front side.
 2. The sport bag of claim 1 wherein the hard sided boxes each have a side to side dimension equal to the spacing between the first and second lateral sides.
 3. The sport bag of claim 1 including a hard side box support member selected from the group consisting of (1) a plurality of web members extending between the front side and back side, (2) a single web member extending from the front side to the back side, (3) a plurality of web members extending between the lateral sides, and (4) a series of rigid, stepped platform members between the front side and back side.
 4. The sport bag of claim 1 in combination with a second sport bag compartment of like construction and dimension, said compartments arranged in opposed back to back array and hinged at the junction of their respective bottom side and back side, and further including a flexible gusset connecting the opposed back sides to permit the compartment to pivot a limited extent about the hinged junction between a flush, back side to back side position and a pivoted partially spaced position.
 5. The sport bag of claim 4 further including a first lateral strap joining the first lateral sides of said compartments, and a carry strap attached to the lateral strap whereby pulling the carry strap effects pivoting of the bags about the hinged junction to the generally flush position.
 6. The sport bag of claim 5 including a second lateral strap connecting the second lateral sides, said carry strap having opposite ends connected respectively to the first and second lateral straps.
 7. A sport bag comprising, in combination: a first generally rectangular, parallelepiped, soft sided compartment with a bottom side with an inside, a back side, a front side, a first lateral side, a second lateral side generally parallel to and spaced from said first lateral side, and an open top side; a second compartment of like construction and dimension, said compartments in opposed back to back array and hinged at the junction of the respective bottom side and back side, and further including a flexible gusset connecting the opposed back sides to permit the compartments to pivot a limited extent about the hinged junction between a flush back side to back side position and a pivoted partially spaced position; a first lateral strap joining the first lateral sides; and a carry strap attached to the lateral strap whereby pulling the carry strap effects pivoting of the compartments about the hinged junction to the generally flush position.
 8. The sport bag of claim 7 including a second lateral strap connecting the second lateral sides of the compartments said carry strap having opposite ends connected respectively to the first and second lateral straps.
 9. The sport bag of claim 7 including an extensible lanyard attached at one end to the outside of a side of the bag with a tool attached to the opposite end of the lanyard, and further including a fastening mechanism for removably holding the tool on a side of the bag.
 10. The sport bag of claim 9 wherein the lanyard is a connecting member selected from the group consisting of a coiled cord, an elastic cord, a reel retained cord, and combination thereof.
 11. The sport bag of claim 9 wherein the tool is selected from the group consisting of a knife, a clipper and a ring.
 12. The sport bag of claim 9 wherein the fastening mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a pocket formed on the outside of the bag, hook and loop fastener incorporated on the tool and the outside of the bag, and an elastic band on the outside of the bag.
 13. The sport bag of claim 9 further including a bungee strap attached to a first side and a clip mechanism for attaching the bungee strap to a separate second side of the bag to retain items in the bag.
 14. The sport bag of claim 1 including an extensible lanyard attached at one end to the outside of a side of the bag with a tool attached at the opposite end of the lanyard and further including a fastening mechanism for removably holding the tool on a side of the bag. 